The Lure of the Pen. By Flora Klickmann. (R.T.S. 7s-
net.)—Miss Klickmann's wide experience of journalism and publishing has qualified her admirably to produce a technical treatise on the art she practises so well, and this volume abounds in sane, healthy advice of the kind particularly useful to the beginner who has found that his or her efforts to catch the atten- tion of editors have failed, and is rather at a loss to know why, or in what direction to lookfor improvement. While intended and suited for young writers of both sexes, it deals more fully than such books usually do with the special difficulties of women authors who have not hitherto had the benefit of skilled counsel from one of themselves. The substance of the teaching is helpful, and the manner encouraging without being effusive. With one or two of Miss Klickmann's dicta we cannot bring ourselves to agree ; the modern " story magazine," for example. does not as a rule contain anything remotely resembling Mr. Kipling's work, which she urges her pupils to study and emulate ; but we heartily admit that the popular short story would be a much better thing if it were modelled on the tales in, say, Life's Handicap, than it is as a weak variant of the " 0 Henry " convention, which seems to be the acceptable type at the present day. Interspersed amongst the practical lessons are a few excellent anecdotes, one of which we quote. A lady called at Miss Klickmarui's office in search of a manuscript she had left there the day before :-
" I was passing through the Inquiry Office as she entered, and she straightway explained to ins her mission. ' I will find out who took it,' I said. I do not think you left it with me.'- ' Oh no ! It wasn't you,' she replied emphatically. ' I left it with quite a oleo-looking person. • "
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